Destination detox: detox retreats

We all feel like getting away from the daily grind once in a while, or in some cases most of the time.

The pressures and stresses of our jobs, tiredness, the bad habits and diets we fall in to from being too busy to take proper care of ourselves. Even the noise, pollution and congestion of the city gets us dreaming of white sandy beaches, clear turquoise seas and craving a good dose of sunshine.

So why not choose a holiday destination that not only takes you away from it all but also cleanses your mind, body and soul; a break that detoxes you both mentally and physically to get you returning back to that nine to five looking and feeling like a new, happy and refreshed person. Detox retreats offer all of this and more.

Gone are the days where people saw detox retreats as places with merciless workouts, starving you with gruelling diet plans and a long week of hard work. These days you can expect five-star, luxurious locations set in breathtaking scenery where you can sit back and indulge yourself in delicious, healthy and clean menus, which kick-start your digestive system boosting your energy levels and making you feel great.

Think less of exhausting boot camp style exercise and more of low intensity, gentle and relaxing yoga and pilate programs designed to stretch out those tense and stressed muscles, and meditation that clears and relaxes your tired mind. Lots of retreats offer long walks and bike rides so you can also get out in the fresh air and take in the beautiful scenery.

The best thing about a wellness retreat is that you can take the ideas, inspirations and everything you’ve learnt during your break home with you and carry on the healthy eating plan, exercises and meditation, arming you with plenty of tips and new knowledge on how to make going back to ‘reality’ a little more manageable.

If you’re tempted by a detox retreat, here are just a few of the top destinations:

SHA Wellness Hotel, SpainSHA is situated in Albir Beach near the beautiful town of Villa de Altea in the region of Valencia, overlooking the Mediterranean sea. The hotel boasts a large swimming pool with waterfalls and relaxations areas in their Zen, Mediterranean and Tropical gardens.

The Island Experience, Ilha Grande, BrazilSituated 100 miles just South of Rio de Janerio, Ilha Grande is well-known for its 106 amazing beaches, 56 waterfalls, caves and rivers, it’s also a wildlife reserve and home to the Atlantic Rainforest.

The Island Experience is a seven-day program carefully designed to detox and de-stress you inside and out. Activities are inclusive of hiking through the rainforest, kayaking in the sea, yoga, meditation and massage. The menus are all clean, natural and thoroughly detoxing.

Gaia Retreat & Spa, NSW, AustraliaGaia is owned by Olivia Newton John and her friend Gregg Cave and is situated within 25 acres on the highest point of Byron Bay, Australia. With a backdrop of amazing views across luscious green hills and valleys, the retreat boasts 19 boutique rooms, a multi award-winning day spa and nutritious vegetarian menus.

Aiming to provide you with a varied program of ways to detox and recharge your batteries, the boutique resort specialises in yoga, Pilates, weight, fitness and anti-stress management.

Ulpotha, Sri LankaVoted Best Yoga Retreat in the World by Observer magazine, Ulpotha lies in the heart of Sri Lanka and has been a retreat for thousands of years.

Leading teachers from around the globe teach and practise yoga at Ulpotha and offer a schedule to suit all from beginners to the more experienced. You’ll also become at one with nature as the accommodation consist of 11 huts scattered across Ulpotha beautifully and humbly decorated.`

Simply Healing Centre, West Sussex, UKVogue’s favourite UK detox retreat, Simply Healing is an exclusive holistic detox centre in an 18th Century manor house, surrounded by the beautiful and peaceful countryside in West Sussex.